A questionnaire survey on the prevalence and awareness of rheumatic fever in Bangladesh

Abstract

Rheumatic Fever (RF) persists as a major public health issue in the world including Bangladesh. It causes significant illness and even death especially among children and young adults. Despite its preventability, there is a lack of expansive data regarding its prevalence due to lack of advanced treatment and public awareness of the disease. This study aims to assess the prevalence of RF and public awareness of this disease. A questionnaire survey was conducted across the different specialized hospitals in Bangladesh targeting populations of varying age and socioeconomic backgrounds. The outcomes showed a moderate level of public awareness which was 47% of people were aware of this disease. RF was found in 50% patients from the urban area and 46.7% from rural areas with poor household conditions like – the presence of mold or dampness in the house (76.7%), overcrowding around 82.8%, having a high chance of getting exposure to streptococcus group A bacteria. Also, 34.5% people are affected by Rheumatic Heart Disease who had been diagnosed with RF previously. This study reflects the importance of improving public awareness and preventive healthcare strategies to decrease the burden of Rheumatic fever in Bangladesh.